Canberra-based Japanese ethnomusicologist Yukihiro Jungarrayi Doi (left) with a Warlpiri elder Steve Wanta Jampijinpa Patrick. Source: Yukihiro Doi
Dr Doi grew up listening to gagaku music and became a big fan of the genre. When he was at uni, Dr Doi joined a gagaku club there and studied the Japanese ancient court music absorbedly.
"I was more keen studying gagaku at the club than my university courses", Dr Doi said.
After graduating university, Dr Doi decided to stay with his gagaku teacher from the uni's club to study the music further. He started studying religions and music at a research institute in Japan. Then he happened to assist a graduate student from Australian National University. That led him to study Aboriginal music at ANU eventually.
In the audio, Dr Doi tells us about Japanese gagaku and Aboriginal music he learned. He also talks about his new takoyaki food business in Canberra.
Unexpected playback of memory
In 2018, Dr Doi visited NSW with his family for a holiday. He tried to catch some fish to eat but ended up with two octopuses. He cooked octopuses and it turned out to be a yummy meal. That reminded him of the delicious takoyaki he used to enjoy in Nara, Japan.
Dr Doi came up with a business idea of making and selling Japanese takoyaki, octopus ball dumplings. It has been popular at markets in Canberra and Dr Doi's new food van makes it possible for him to have a shop beyond markets.
"I think that playing gagaku on stage and cooking takoyaki in front of customers have similarities. It's about showing your skill and receiving reactions from people. In takoyaki business, I can get it more directly and intimately. I enjoyed that very much," he said.
Canberra-based Japanese Yukihiro Doi (left) with his wife Thi Phuong Hoa Mai inside their food van. Dr Doi has started Japanese takoyaki business 3 years ago. Source: Yukihiro Doi
